On January 19, 1955, Paul Howard Rose, founder of the chain of Rose’s discount department stores, died at age 73.
On January 18, 1863, a Civil War tragedy that has come to be known as the Shelton Laurel Massacre took place.
On January 17, 1865, Fort Caswell was abandoned as Confederates retreating from Fort Fisher detonated the fort’s powder magazines. The explosion destroyed the entire southeast face of the fort and damaged the western face.
On January 23, 1844, William Gaston died. A poet, politician and lifelong student of the law, Gaston was a leading figure in 19th century North Carolina politics.
On January 23, 1950, after a 14-year hiatus, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse once again shone its beacon over the Atlantic Ocean to warn mariners of the dangers of Diamond Shoals.
On January 22, 1828, Edward Warren, surgeon general of North Carolina and senior medical officer to the Egyptian khedive, was born in Tyrrell County.
